Surprise comes straight from the heart

Husband recovering from stroke prepares a Valentine's Day dinner for his wife.

Husband recovering from stroke prepares a Valentine's Day dinner for his wife.

February 19, 2008|JENNIFER OCHSTEIN Tribune Correspondent

SOUTH BEND -- She says he's become more emotional since his stroke. That emotion bound inside him spills out in a whimper. Dan Riffle says he simply loves his wife. "She's working so hard to do a good job for me," he says brokenly and cries again, the pitch of his voice rising. "She comes to see me every night." And the surprise he's planned for Teresa on Valentine's Day -- a candlelight dinner of salad, baked potato, meatloaf and cheesecake -- is unexpected. "I had no idea," Teresa says after the blindfold, hiding his surprise, is removed. "I'm still trying to absorb it." He's strewn roses about the floor as romantic music warbles in the background and a certified occupational therapy assistant pours them glasses of wine. More roses shade their place settings in the dimly lit conference room where their table for two is set. She's crying. He's crying. She says she's proud of him. He beams. He promises to be a better husband, admitting there were times he was a "stinker." She agreed. But that's water under the bridge. "You're the best, baby," she says. He cries. *** Seven months ago, a stroke gripped Dan Riffle's body. He's been recovering at the Ironwood Health and Rehabilitation Center in South Bend since his release from the hospital. Tammi DuJardin, Dan's certified occupational therapy assistant, calls his stroke "very severe." She said when he first came to the Ironwood Health and Rehabilitation Center he was unwilling to "do anything." It was as if he'd given up. But slowly he came around. He can speak, although slowly. He is in a wheelchair and has use of his hands and arms. As part of Dan's recovery, DuJardin said she mentioned to him several weeks ago that Valentine's Day was coming up. She thought he might want to surprise his wife with something special. He did. "He and I kept it hush-hush for a long time," DuJardin said. Dan said he wanted to surprise his wife of nearly 36 years with dinner. So he helped DuJardin and the staff prepare the meal. Teresa said the fact that he wanted to help make the dinner wasn't all that much of a surprise to her. After all, she believes in her husband. "I just know he can do it," Teresa said. "I just know he can get back home where he belongs." DuJardin said Dan and Teresa may get their wish soon. "We're looking at maybe a couple of months with as well as he's doing," DuJardin said about Dan's possible return back home in Mishawaka. "It's remarkable," she added, referring to his recovery. And, she said, it's the support of Dan's Teresa that's helped. When family members maintain their ties with their loved ones trying to recover "it's a tremendous support," she said. And Dan seems to believe in himself, too. "I guess personally I've come a long way," he said. "I've got a long way to go. But whatever it takes and no matter how long it takes, I'll be here till it's done." And so will Teresa. "I can't tell you how much this means," she said, looking around the room he prepared for her for their 36th Valentine's Day together. "But it means an awful lot."